Alí Rodriguez, Jr.

Ali Rodriguez, Jr. brings decades of experience in education, youth ministry, community service, and outreach to his work with Child Jesus School.

For many years, Ali was an active member of the La Asuncion Church community, where he served as a youth minister and catechist for both youth and adults. He organized retreats for young people, including Encuentros Con Cristo, and led workshops focused on leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making. His ministry also extended beyond the parish, including teaching weekly catechism classes for incarcerated men serving life sentences at Rahway State Prison, now East Jersey State Prison.

Through a partnership between La Asuncion and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Ali also worked as a Mental Health Specialist with Partnership for Youth, a nonprofit initiative helping underserved families learn about healthy practices. His community health work included participation in the Great American Smokeout campaign and an opportunity to meet U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello.

Ali holds an associate degree in Liberal Arts, dual bachelor’s degrees in Education and Bilingual Education, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. He also earned his principal’s license and currently teaches bilingual social studies to students in grades 6–8.

Ali’s relationship with Haiti and Child Jesus School developed through Fr. Vidal Martínez, OSM. He traveled to Child Jesus School six times with Fr. Vidal, including during the time of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and had the opportunity to bring his daughters with him on three of those visits. The experience had a lasting impact on his entire family. Inspired by what they witnessed in Haiti, his daughters later established Baskets for Neighbors, a family food pantry that provided baskets of food to families in need during the holidays.

For Ali, Haiti and Child Jesus School remain deeply connected to the life and legacy of Fr. Vidal and his commitment to serving those in need. Today, Ali continues that relationship as a member of the Child Jesus School Steering Committee, helping support the school and its mission for the children and families of Petit-Goâve.